Three

Nina's POV

Liam’s grip on my upper arms was unyielding as my small world spiraled out of control because of how close we were standing.

"Nina?" he breathed deeply. He looked just as startled as I was as his deep blue eyes scanned my face, which I knew was all red and puffy from all the crying, coupled with my messed-up hair. "What are you doing out here? Are you—"

"Liam!"

A sharp voice rang out, shattering the little moment we shared.

I flinched as Anya appeared from the exit doors as her eyes locked onto Liam’s hands still resting on my arms, and her expression twisted into pure rage. Wasting no time, she marched over and forcefully shoved my shoulder to break his grip on me, causing me to stumble back.

"What the hell do you think you're doing, Nina?" Anya snapped, her voice dripping with venom as she glared at me like I was evil. "I leave him alone for five minutes, and you're out here trying to throw yourself at my fiancé? Are you seriously trying to seduce him the night before our engagement party? Do you have no dignity over your loose body at all?"

"Anya, stop," Liam growled, stepping between us, as his jaws clenched. "She was falling and I just caught her, what are you talking about?"

"Oh, please! Look at her, Liam!" Anya sneered, gesturing toward me with absolute disgust. "She’s pathetic and she’s been desperate for attention ever since Father announced the wedding, can you not see it? Stay away from him, Nina. You are nothing but an embarrassment to this family, and you will not ruin my life."

With a possessive yank, Anya grabbed Liam’s arm, pulling him tightly against her side as she pulled him away from me. Liam didn't say another word, though his eyes lingered on me for a fraction of a second longer than necessary before Anya dragged him toward their car.

I just stood frozen in my steps as a fresh wave of humiliation washed over me. She had always been mean to me and I thought she couldn't hurt me anymore, but seeing her talk down on me right in front of Liam shattered me in ways I didn’t think were even possible, given my already broken heart.

"Nina! Oh my god, there you are!"

Frida burst through the exit doors, looking around frantically until her eyes landed on me and then, she rushed to my side when she noticed how I was trembling.

"I saw Anya and Liam walking out. Did they see you? Did something happen?"

"Please, Frida," I whispered, my voice breaking as I tried not to burst into tears again. "Just take me home. Please."

Frida didn't ask any more questions as she seemed to understand exactly what had happened. Letting out a sigh, she wrapped her arm around me before guiding me to her car.

That night, I barely got any sleep and even then, morning came too quickly, which simply meant my nightmare was far from over.

The Beckett estate was in full swing, because they were having an official engagement party downstairs since the wedding was the next day and once again, I couldn’t escape it.

I remained locked in my room all day and only got out of bed when I knew it was time. I put on a simple, dark dress, did my best to mask my swollen eyes with heavy concealer, brushed my hair and then, descended the stairs.

The ballroom was crowded with wealthy socialites, who were majority here because of how famous Liam was. As I joined them, I made sure to remain in corners as I actively avoided any contact with my father, Anya, or even worse, Liam as I hoped I would go unnoticed.

Every time I caught a glimpse of Liam looking effortlessly perfect in his tuxedo and my dazzling sister who everyone was fawning over, my heart would ache so violently that I could barely breathe.

To numb the agonizing pain, I did the only thing I could think of. I drank.

I moved from waiter to waiter, swapping empty glasses for full ones while downing the liquid as fast as my body could take it because I wanted to forget everything and soon. I lost count after the fifth glass and my vision soon began to blur.

When I couldn’t seem to stand on my feet without stumbling anymore, I tried to head to my room but then, I staggered towards one of the hallways that was near the back of the estate with my vision barely helping me as my whole body felt numbed.

As I walked aimlessly, my legs soon began to tremble too much so, I leaned against the wall and tried to catch my bearings but then, my knees gave out and within seconds, I fell and passed out completely.

“Arggg,” I groaned as I peeled my eyes open the next morning. As my eyes adjusted to the brightness, I realized I was in an unfamiliar room.

Confused, I tried to move but realized there was a massive weight holding me down. My heart skipped when I looked down and realized a large, muscular arm was wrapped possessively around my waist, pulling my back flush against a broad, bare chest as an expensive cologne flooded my senses, instantly clearing the fog from my brain. I knew this scent. I knew this warmth.

My heartbeat slowly increased as I dared to turn my head but the moment my eyes settled on the person behind me, my eyes widened so much, they almost fell out of their sockets.

Liam.

He was fast asleep with his dark hair messy and his sharp features looking so good, they almost felt unreal as he remained completely naked under the silk sheets we shared.

Panic snapped me out of my thoughts pretty fast as I began to wonder what the hell was going on. How did I end up here?

Before I could even process the horror of the situation, the bedroom doors burst open, making me flinch in fear.

"Oh my god! No!"

A loud scream tore through the room. I snapped my eyes toward the door as terror filled me to see Anya standing by the door with shock on her face and right behind her, was my dad, who looked like he was about to murder me.